Charlie Marquez rode the first winner of his career with Sierra Leona (Point Given)'s 3/4-length victory at Laurel Park Thursday. It was the eighth career mount for the 16-year-old, who rode his first race Jan. 1 at Laurel.
“It feels amazing. I'm only 16; it's a lot to digest,” Marquez said. “But I'm glad I'm here and I'm thankful for all the opportunities been given to me. This means so much to me.”
From Columbia, Maryland, Marquez is the son of 52-year-old Carlos Marquez, Jr., a multiple graded-stakes winner of 3,150 career races currently riding at Camarero in Puerto Rico. His grandfather, Carlos Marquez, Sr., was also a successful jockey and taught at Puerto Rico's famed Escuela Vocacional Hipica jockey school.
“I've been riding my whole life, in the pony races and riding over jumps,” Marquez said. “I've done a whole bunch of different things, so this is an honor to be a professional now and finally win my first race.”
Marquez said he plans to finish his secondary education at home as he pursues his riding career.
“I'm turning in [forms] to get homeschooled, but there's no way I'm dropping out. I need school just in case anything happens,” he said.
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